Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-09-11
Sunday, September II, 1887.
KEY TO THE


what Ii terms 1.-THE Key to the Indian
Problem" 1t says: "The current
number of the magazine Lend a Hand
contains an interesting sketch of the
Montana Industrial School for In
dams, established last year on the
Crow Reservation, and now In charge
of the Rev. Henry p. Bond. Of the
American Unitarian Association. The
school In question Is n Of the class
known as contract schools'-s term
which applies to those established by
missionary or other societies on the
reservations, and deriving its origin
from tho fact that the general govern
ment contracts with these societies Ia
pay q certain sum for each Indian
who 10 supported and taken care of at
the schools. The party Of the second
part stipuIate to equip and maintain
the schools, to clothe, feed, lodge. and
educate the pupils; to provide them
with en- industrial training and sup
ply them with school books. station
cry, appliances, and mechanical tools.
Fifty of these schools were maintained
on the reservations last year. for which
about $4,000 was expended by the
various religious societies which oper-
sted them. They do not conflict in
any way with the Hampton. Carlisle
and Lincoln schools at the east, but
give the pupils the primary training
which will ft come of the more prom
Using for the advanced course In the
eastern schools, where they can be
qualified to return and teach their
own people. The report from this
school Is Ct a very encouraging charac-
ter, but it is significant that no men
ton 10 made Though 1t may possibly
be implied) of the great necessity In
Indian education-namely: the tesch-
ing them to talk a. well rs to read and
write English; the American language
IL the key to Indian civilization. Once
the pspooses have learned TO talk our
our language the other educational
hteps will rapidly be acquired. Dog
ma Is of little consequence as compar-
cd with the ability to talk, read and
write the language which they must
use.in their future citizenship. Han.
dicraft and farming are highly impor-
tant acquisitions, but they must above
oil else be taught the national tongue,
for without 1t they will v make
an industrial success, nor will they
pursue It for any length of time.
Their salvation depends upon their
ability to think and talk English. snd
the younger the children are caught
the easier they a be tanned and drill
d Ia the national language. Chill
dren between five and ten years Of
age acquire a tongue almost without
effort, and catch its accents, tones and
infections exactly. and the papoose Is
no exception to the rule. The govern.
menutherefore, cannot be too liberal In
ius appropriation or too exact and
stringent in enforcing. talking schools
for the juvenile savages II IL wants to
solve the Indian problem, and the so
cieties which set up these contract
schools should second the work.
Without the mastery OF our language
they q never thoroughly compre.
hend the Institution of citizenship OF
the nature Of our laws, nor will they
be fitted, IL they are not masters OF
talking, for the new business and in
dustrial relations which they are 10
assume. The three RS will naturally
follow talking and constitute Q part
ef Indian education. but the gift OF
CAB in the %vernacular lies at the
foo ndation IL 10 the one thing need.
ful and after that all other things will
be aided unto them. AZ long n they
talk only Indian tongues they will
continue to be savages and remain an
expensive nuisance and national in
oumbrance. II Is In these very con-
tract schools whsre the foundation
should be laid as they take the young
Indian.